Walk excited to assist at Three Rivers (08/10/08) After 20 years at Twin Rivers, he will join the staff for the women's basketball team.

Catching up with: Barry Short (08/04/08) Three Rivers assistant coach took the long way back to baseball.

Catching up with: Justin Hill (07/15/08) Greenville graduate goes from swinging lumber to caring for it as a resource assistant for the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Bess hasn't missed a beat since 'traumatic' episode (07/12/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Three Rivers coach Gene Bess moves his hands up and down through his chest imitating the perfect form for the beginning of a jump shot as dozens of girls watch Thursday during a summer basketball camp at the Bess Activity Center...

Catching up with: Amory Sanders (07/08/08) By BRAD HURT | Sports Writer In his playing days, coaches counted on Amory Sanders to come through in critical situations to seal the deal, either by knocking down high-pressure free throws or beating the clock with a jumper. Now, the former Three Rivers and Southeast Missouri State sharpshooter works as a senior broker at The Lending Source, Inc., in Memphis...

Catching up with: Fred Johnson (07/01/08) 'Once a Raider, always a Raider'

Sarah Ruff will play softball at TRCC (07/01/08) Kelly standout will play softball, may play basketball

Trick or treat? Raiders tip off on Halloween (07/01/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer After the Three Rivers men's basketball team finished last season with a fourth-place finish after they battled through a tough season, the Raiders are hitting the ground running this upcoming season. The Raiders play fellow National Tournament opponent from last season Chipola (Fla.) in the opening weekend tournament...

Three Rivers adds post players (06/20/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Three Rivers Raiders have signed point guards, shooting guards and small forwards, but were still looking for some new post men to anchor the middle. The search is over. The Raiders recently signed 6-foot-10 Jeremy Marrs, who played a year for Southwest Tennessee Community College back in 2004-05; and Aloysius Henry, a 6-9 post player that went to high school in the Caribbean and attended one year of prep school in Maine...

Catching up with: Chad Allen (06/17/08) By BRAD HURT ~ DAR Sports Writer The 2007-08 basketball season brought more than one change for Chad Allen. Besides leaving Puxico for Dexter, Allen switched from coaching boys to coaching girls. As it turned out, the transition couldn't have gone much more smoothly...

Three Rivers begins search for Childress' successor (06/10/08) New coach expected to take over basketball in 2009-10 season

Kelci Scott signs with Three Rivers (05/21/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Twin Rivers' Kelci Scott is determined to bring her winning attitude to the next level. Scott a catcher for the Lady Royals, recently signed her letter of intent to play softball at Three Rivers next season. "I am a really determined person and a really hardworking person so I think I can really bring that," Scott said. "I never quit."...

TRCC signs Portageville's Penn (05/14/08) By Alex Abate ~ DAR POPLAR BLUFF -- Kellye Penn knows what it takes to win. She led Portageville to its first district title in 20 years this past season and is looking to take her winning to another level. She recently signed to play basketball at Three Rivers Community College, the same place her mother, then Susan Spencer, played in 1981-82...

Redecker heading to Rolla (05/13/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ Sports Writer Aaron Redecker was a vocal leader and a solid contributor for the Raiders in their National Tournament run the last two years. Redecker hopes to contribute at his next stop as he recently committed to play for Missouri Science & Technology, formerly University of Missouri-Rolla a Division II school...

Just call her Cheekie: Lady Tribe assistant softball coach has walked an amazing road (05/11/08) Linda Cheek has taken a long and amazing road to where she is today. Cheek, who is in her second year as Kennett High School's assistant softball coach -- assisting her daughter, Laurie Vaughan -- has racked up an impressive list of accomplishments in her lifetime, not to mention winning some big battles...

Raiders pick up Jamarcus Williams (04/25/08) The Charleston grad is transferring from UT-Martin's football program to play basketball at Three Rivers.

Raiders split with MAC, reach 20 wins (04/23/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer PARK HILLS -- The Raiders earned a split Tuesday against Mineral Area, dropping the first game 3-1 before winning the second game 6-4. "I was really proud of the way we played," Raiders coach Stacey Burkey said. "We would have liked to get two up there but we were able to get the split and played well. We have something to build on."...

Sherrer picks South Alabama (04/21/08) Three Rivers point guard signs with Sun Belt Conference team.

Jefferson College pillages Raiders (04/20/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Raiders just couldn't find any offense Saturday. Three Rivers hit the ball hard but managed just three runs in a doubleheader loss to Jefferson College, 7-3 and 6-0. Three Rivers (19-15, 10-6 XVI) took a 3-0 lead in the first inning of the opener but were shutout in the final 13 innings...

Lady Raiders rally from three-run deficit (04/17/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Lady Raiders needed a wake-up call Wednesday afternoon against Dyersburg State. Three Rivers rallied from a three-run deficit in the opener to win 8-5 before earning the sweep with a 9-1 win. The early 5-2 hole in the first game threw Three Rivers for a loop, Three Rivers coach Jack Childress said...

South Iron's Prater signs on with Three Rivers (04/17/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer ANNAPOLIS -- South Iron's David Prater was an integral part of the Panthers' run to the MSHSAA Class 2 championship game and now Prater is looking to improve his skills at the next level. Prater signed his letter of intent to play Wednesday afternoon at Three Rivers next season...

Lady Raiders sign Ferguson for softball (04/15/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Poplar Bluff standout Stefanie Ferguson has been a good leadoff hitter for the Lady Mules over the past four seasons and now she is ready to step into a new batter's box. Ferguson signed her letter of intent Tuesday to play softball at Three Rivers Community College next season...

Bell City's Niemczyk follows father's footsteps to TRCC (04/15/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Nick Niemczyk is glad to be following in his father's footsteps. Nick's father, Pat, played for Three Rivers' national championship team in 1979 and this past Friday, Nick signed his letter of intent to continue his basketball career with the Raiders...

TRCC recruit from Kentucky welcomes pressure, hard work (04/15/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ Sports Writer Josh Terry, from Henderson County High School in Henderson, Ky., signed his letter of intent last week to play for the Raiders. "I went there last week and everybody was friendly," Terry said. "I played with the other guys and I seemed to fit in quite well."...

Three Rivers offense explodes, sweeps St. Charles (04/15/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ Sports Writer The Lady Raiders pitching allowed just two runs and the offense was rolling along in a doubleheader sweep over St. Charles on Monday 10-2 and 7-0. Three Rivers has now won 10 of its last 11 contests. "It's been since we came back from Branson and Florida, and we were playing some tough competition there," Three Rivers coach Jack Childress said. "That is where you build from is playing better competition."...

Raiders earn dramatic sweep of Forest Park (04/14/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Raiders needed some late-inning heroics Saturday at Raider Field. Three Rivers scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to win over Forest Park in the first game, 6-5, and left two runners stranded in the final frame in second game to hold on for a 1-0 win...

Split ends Raiders' win streak (04/14/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Raiders earned a split with Florissant Valley on Sunday afternoon winning the first gam 6-5, before losing the second, 12-4, ending an eight-game winning streak. After Florissant Valley got two runs in the top of the seventh inning of the opener to tie the game, but the Raiders rallied for the winning run in the bottom of the frame...

Blue will take on new role at Three Rivers (04/11/08) Twin Rivers guard will stay close to home to play basketball.

Raiders sign forward from Mounds Meridian (04/10/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer With the NJCAA signing period starting this past Tuesday, the Raiders have signed their first recruit. Marland Johnson, a forward from Meridian High School out of Mounds Ill., officially became a Raider as he signed his letter of intent Tuesday morning...

Lady Raiders split with Jefferson (04/10/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Lady Raiders earned a split Wednesday afternoon against Jefferson dropping the first game 12-2 in five innings before coming back and winning the second game, 5-0. In the second game, Chelsea Claypole was solid on the mound for the win. She threw seven innings and had two strikeouts, allowing just four hits along with one walk...

TRCC's Sherrer, Valov named All-Americans (04/10/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Bryan Sherrer and Archie Valov were solid leaders for the Raiders over the course of the season and now they are being recognized for it. Sherrer and Valov were named to the NJCAA All-American team. Sherrer was a first-team selection while Valov was a third-team member...

It's official: TRCC lands Woodgeard (04/09/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer GREENVILLE -- Sara Woodgeard has had to wait over a month, but she can now breathe a small sigh of relief. After verbally committing to play basketball at Three Rivers in late February, Woodgeard signed her letter of intent Tuesday to play for the Lady Raiders next season...

Raiders basketball has large gaps to fill (04/09/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Raiders already had some major holes to fill over this offseason, but now the gap is even bigger just days before the junior college signing period opens. Freshman Jeff McClain is leaving Three Rivers and going to Murray State University in Kentucky, about 45 minutes from his home town of Fulton...

Three Rivers baseball rallies for sweep (04/08/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Playing from behind was not a problem for the Raiders Monday afternoon at Raider Field. Three Rivers scored two runs in the sixth inning as they went on to win their first game against Mineral Area 7-6 before rallying from a 4-1 deficit to win 13-4 and earn the sweep...

Lady Raiders' offense comes alive (04/08/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Lady Raiders bats were on fire Monday afternoon at Rains Field. Three Rivers had a total of 21 hits as it defeated Forest Park twice, 7-0 and 8-3. "The first game, we hit the ball better," Lady Raiders (15-10) coach Jack Childress said. "The second game, it seemed like we didn't."...

TRCC baseball earns split with Jefferson (04/03/08) By DAR STAFF HILLSBORO -- The Raiders baseball team pulled out an extra-inning win to salvage a split at Jefferson on Wednesday. After dropping the opener 8-0, the Raiders regrouped and won the second game 8-6. "I didn't say much after the first game," said Three Rivers coach Stacey Burkey. "It's just a great showing from our players as to what they're made of."...

Hitting propels Lady Raiders softball (04/03/08) By DAR STAFF UNION -- The Three Rivers Lady Raiders used their bats to sweep a doubleheader from East Central which gave them a major boost in the conference standings. After winning the opener 10-1 behind a one-hitter from Chelsea Claypole they repeated the performance for a 10-2 win in the second game...

TRCC's Bess speaks out (04/02/08) Says it's for other faculty members afraid to do so

Gold rush: Raiders added to trophy case in 2007-08 (03/30/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Three Rivers Raiders finished their most successful season in nearly 15 years by placing fourth at the NJCAA National Tournament with a 29-8 record. After an 81-63 loss Saturday night to Seward County at the Sports Arena in Hutchinson, Kan., the Raiders came home Sunday with their plaque, the 10th top-five showing in 15 appearances at the national tournament and the first since 1995...

Raiders softball squeaks out victories (03/27/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer DYERSBURG Tenn. -- The Lady Raiders won two close games over Dyersburg State on Wednesday afternoon, 4-1 and 1-0. "Both we scratched in Three Rivers coach Jack Childress said. In the first game the Lady Raiders (11-10) got the scoring going in the first inning. Kaci Menz walked to start the contest and stole second before she later scored on a Cortney Ostendorf sacrifice fly to make it 1-0...

Timely hitting eludes Raiders (03/26/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ Sports Writer The Raiders couldn't come up with the key hit at key times Tuesday afternoon as they fell in two close games to St. Charles 5-2 and 5-3 at Raider Field. "Our last three, when you look at the game big picture, defensively we have been pretty good," Three Rivers coach Stacey Burkey said. "It has just proved that one error has put us in a hole and we haven't been able to make up for it offensively."...

Salt Lake stops Raiders in NJCAA (03/23/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer HUTCHINSON, Kan. -- Three Rivers tried to play catch-up for a second straight game and it finally caught up to them Friday night. The Raiders never got closer than eight points in the second half and were held to under 60 points for the second time this season, losing 68-50 to Salt Lake in the semifinals of the NJCAA National Tournament...

Three Rivers enjoys best NJCAA showing since 1994 (03/23/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer HUTCHINSON, Kan. -- The Three Rivers Raiders lost more than just a game to Salt Lake Friday night. As they came out on the short end, they also missed a chance of playing for the program's third championship. The Raiders shot 33.9 percent from the field in a 68-50 loss to Salt Lake...

Final four fizzle: Three Rivers finishes fourth in NJCAA (03/23/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer HUTCHINSON, Kan. -- The Three Rivers Raiders got into another hole early and were unable to recover against Seward County as they lost in the NJCAA Third Place game 81-63 Saturday night. The Raiders placed fourth, their highest finish since 1994 when Three Rivers lost to Hutchinson Community College by four in the championship...

Sherrer's half-court prayer before break, eight-point run keys comeback by Raiders (03/20/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer HUTCHINSON, Kan. -- Floatation devices are used at sea but rarely, if ever, in the confines of a basketball arena. However, Three Rivers sophomore Bryan Sherrer kept his team afloat Wednesday night against Eastern Arizona before the Raiders moved into the NJCAA National Tournament semifinals with a 75-73 win...

Three Rivers rallies from 17 down to reach final four (03/20/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer HUTCHINSON, Kan. -- The Raiders' championship dreams appeared to be slipping through their fingers Wednesday night against Eastern Arizona. However, Three Rivers rallied from a 17-point first-half deficit to defeat the Gila Monsters 75-73 in a NJCAA National Tournament quarterfinal at the Hutchinson Sports Arena...

Lady Raiders left stranded in sweep (03/19/08) By DAR STAFF PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Three Rivers put together 13 hits but managed just three runs in a doubleheader loss Monday to Kirkwood, 9-1 and 4-2. The Lady Raiders (7-5) left eight stranded in the first game and seven in the second. "We're starting to get hits but we're not getting them in bunches," Three Rivers coach Jack Childress said...

Raiders ready to play on big stage (03/18/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer HUTCHINSON Kan. -- The Raiders have been looking forward to a game at Hutch all season. Wait no game more. Three Rivers will face Eastern Wyoming at 2 p.m. today at the Hutchinson Sports Arena in the opening round of the NJCAA Tournament...

Lady Raiders rally in opener, come up short in second game (03/17/08) By DAR STAFF PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Three Rivers split two games Sunday in the University of West Florida Tournament. Cortney Ostendorf delivered a two-out, game-winning hit to beat Kansas City, Kan., 2-1, while sixth-ranked Johnson County scored a run in the bottom of the seventh to beat the Lady Raiders 3-2...

Former foes Carpenter, Louis team up for Three Rivers (03/17/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer HUTCHINSON, Kan. -- A little more than one year ago, Adam Carpenter and year Alonzo Louis were battling against each other for a district title. Now, Louis and Carpenter both come off the bench as key contributors for the Three Rivers Raiders. ...

Sophomores complete rare double (03/12/08) Three Rivers earns spot in NJCAA tourney again.

Raiders run past Highland in second half (03/12/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Even though Three Rivers won the District Playoff against Highland by 15 points it was much closer than the final score indicated. The Raiders won 82-67 thanks to an 18-9 run to the final buzzer and a trip to the NJCAA National Tournament...

Three Rivers makes return trip to Hutch (03/12/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Three Rivers' Bryan Sherrer rose at the top of the key and sank a 3-pointer as time ran out, putting an exclamation point on the Raiders' latest accomplishment. Another trip to Hutch. The Raiders defeated Highland 82-67 Tuesday night in the District Playoff to advance to the NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan. Three Rivers will face Eastern Wyoming College at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the first round...

Raiders baseball team drops weekend series (03/10/08) By DAR STAFF NEOSHO -- Three Rivers lost three times during a two-day trip over the weekend even though the Raiders outscored Crowder. Scott Hudgins drove in five RBIs and was 7-for-12 in the four games, but more than half of Three Rivers' 32 runs came in one game Saturday a 19-9 win. The Raiders lost the opener 9-5 before getting swept 4-3 and 4-2 Sunday...

Trip to national tournament at stake for Three Rivers (03/10/08) By ALEX ABATE ~Sports Writer The Raiders are just one step away from another season goal. Having won Region XVI, Three Rivers will face Region IV winner Highland in a District Playoff at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Bess Activity Center. The winner advances to the NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan...

Fifth-ranked Jefferson College stops Lady Raiders (03/09/08) By DAR STAFF COLUMBIA -- Three Rivers went out with a fight Saturday in the Region XVI semifinals. After fifth-ranked Jefferson built a 26-point lead early in the second half, the Lady Raiders rallied to within single digits before losing 87-75 at Columbia College...

Three Rivers softball opens season 4-0 (03/03/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Lady Raiders started their season off on the right foot with four wins over the weekend against Prairie State at Rains Field. Three Rivers won 7-0 and 10-0 Saturday before winning twice on Sunday, 8-0 and 10-0. In the first game Sunday, the Lady Raiders (4-0) got off to a 1-0 lead in the first inning before getting four runs in the second. ...

Three Rivers sweeps home opener (03/03/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ Sports Writer The Three Rivers Raiders were quick to forget about their 0-2 start to the season as they won four games over the weekend against North Central. The Raiders won Saturday 7-0 and 8-0 before winning Sunday, 11-0 and 10-2...

Raiders' region repeat 'feels even better' (03/02/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer HILLSBORO -- Three Rivers won the Region XVI title for the second straight year as the Raiders held off MSU-West Plains 80-61 Saturday night at Jefferson College. Bryan Sherrer led the Raiders with 19 points while Archie Valov added 14...

Three Rivers softball opens this weekend (02/29/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Lady Raiders have been awaiting their first game all winter and they will get the season started this weekend as Prairie State comes to Three Rivers. Saturday's game will start at noon while Sunday's will start at 2 p.m...

Raiders open with doubleheader loss (02/28/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer BATESVILLE, Ark. -- The Three Rivers Raiders lost two tough games on the road to Lyon College on Wednesday afternoon, 5-4 and 15-13. In the second game, the Raiders (0-2) were down 15-9 going into the top of the seventh inning and rallied. ...

Lady Raiders await location of tourney opener (02/28/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer GODFREY, Ill. -- The Three Rivers Lady Raiders ended the regular season on a sour note as they fell on the road Wednesday night to Lewis & Clark, 72-47. Fareedah Washington was the high scorer for the Lady Raiders (16-13, 5-5 XVI) with 12 points...

Raiders ready for final test (02/22/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Three Rivers Raiders have not forgotten the last time they faced South Suburban. The Raiders lost a nail-biter last season on the road 80-79 and know they will have a tall task ahead of them for Homecoming at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Bess Activity Center...

Bess picks up win No. 1,050 (02/21/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer KIRKWOOD -- The Meramec Magic were not intimidated Wednesday night by Three Rivers. The Magic had a 43-41 lead with less than 10 minutes remaining in the contest before the Raiders went on a 24-10 run to win, 67-53...

Last year's improvement offers optimism for '08 (02/21/08) Before last season, as Southeast Missouri State looked to bounce back from its worst record under Mark Hogan, the veteran baseball coach faced plenty of question marks. Hogan got many of the answers he was seeking, which makes his outlook more comfortable as the Redhawks prepare to open the 2008 campaign...

Back in the flo: Raiders snap skid, offensive woes (02/19/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Three Rivers Raiders scored early and often Monday night against Florissant Valley at the Bess Activity Center. Three Rivers jumped out to a 14-5 lead and stretched it to 50-29 at half as they cruised to the win, 104-53...

Jefferson ends half with key run for victory (02/19/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Three Rivers knew it had its hands full just minutes into the contest Monday night at the Bess Activity Center. Jefferson's Danielle Adams scored the first four points and ended up with 36 points and 22 rebounds as the Lady Vikings moved past Three Rivers 69-54...

MAC continues its run after break to beat Lady Raiders (02/17/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer PARK HILLS -- The Mineral Area Lady Cardinals were already ahead 13 points at halftime and came out of the break on a mission Saturday night. They started the half on a 14-4 run and went on to beat Three Rivers, 63-44...

Three Rivers men fall again at MAC (02/17/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer PARK HILLS -- The streak remains in tact for MAC. The Raiders haven't won at Mineral Area since 2000-01 and the Cardinals kept it that way with execution and solid defense in the second half Saturday night as they won 68-45...

Raiders baseball team opens season Monday (02/15/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer With preseason workouts finally over, the Three Rivers baseball team will kick off its season Monday against Harding University in Searcy, Ark. The Raiders finished last season with a 28-17 overall record, 13-9 in the MCCAC. The Raiders have 10 sophomores on the roster to go with eight freshman...

Raiders have had 'big time' performances from Sherrer (02/15/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer With just one Region XVI game left in the season, Raiders point guard Bryan Sherrer is making a case for the Player of the Year award. The Three Rivers sophomore is second on the team in points, averaging 12.8 per contest, ranking him ninth among regional players. He also ranks second in the region in assists per contest at 4.29...

Raiders get cold, stumble at Iowa Western (02/13/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- Iowa Western had to wait well over two months, but the Reivers took advantage of their second meeting this season Tuesday night with Three Rivers. After the 14th-ranked Raiders won the first matchup in overtime on Nov. 24, the 17th-ranked Reivers made their free throws in the closing minutes and played solid defense as they won, 83-72...

Three Rivers has top seed for region tournament (02/12/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Three Rivers Raiders can breathe a small sigh of relief. Because Moberly defeated Mineral Area on Saturday night and the Raiders defeated MSU-West Plains, Three Rivers locked up the No. 1 seed for the Region XVI Tournament...

Bingo! Three Rivers edges MSU-West Plains (02/10/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Ken Bingham gave Bryan Sherrer a run for his money Saturday night as the clutch player for the Three Rivers Raiders. Bingham made two free throws with 7.2 seconds remaining to lift the Raiders to a 64-60 win over MSU-West Plains at the Bess Activity Center...

Raiders face ranked rival in key game (02/08/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Three Rivers Raiders will have a little extra incentive going into Saturday night's 7 p.m. game against the West Plains Grizzlies at the Bess Activity Center. If the Raiders (20-4, 5-1 XVI) win against the Grizzlies (23-3, 3-2 XVI), they will get a share of the Region XVI regular season title...

'Dry spell' dooms Lady Raiders (02/07/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer HILLSBORO -- The Three Rivers Lady Raiders fought hard but were outdone Wednesday night against seventh-ranked Jefferson College, 75-62. Fareedah Washington led the Lady Raiders with 14 points while Michelle Kenney added 11 and Britney Peet finished with 10...

Valov's 27 leads Raiders past Highland (02/05/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer FREEPORT Ill. -- Archie Valov had a season-high 27 points and nine rebounds to lead Three Rivers over Highland on the road Monday night, 73-67. "He had a dominant first half and our guys were trying to get him the ball and we were feeding off that," Three Rivers assistant coach Brian Bess said. ...

Three Rivers moves into race for No. 2 spot (02/05/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer NEOSHO -- The Three Rivers Lady Raiders made their free throws and escaped with a 64-60 road win Monday night over Crowder. The Lady Raiders were down by as many as six points in the second half before they came back to win...

Menz hits 3-pointer to lift TRCC (02/03/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Kaci Menz wasted no time getting back the advantage for Three Rivers at the Bess Activity Center on Saturday. After State Fair took a one-point lead, Menz knocked down a 3-pointer from the left corner to give Three Rivers the lead again at the 2:15 mark as they held on to beat the 11th-ranked Lady Roadrunners, 49-45...

Payback: Raiders avenge only region loss (02/03/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Three Rivers wanted to put this one away early. The Raiders scored the first eight points Saturday night at the Bess Activity Center and led State Fair by 18 at the break before winning 75-51. "We had a pretty good idea of what they were going to do tonight and we shut them down," Raiders coach Gene Bess said...

State Fair gets another shot at Three Rivers (02/01/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Three Rivers Raiders are looking for some revenge. The Raiders lost to State Fair 62-60 on Jan. 12 and will face the Roadrunners at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Bess Activity Center. "We really want this one bad," Raiders point guard Bryan Sherrer said...

Woodgeard, Blue choose Three Rivers (01/29/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Twin Rivers' Kaylee Blue and Greenville's Sara Woodgeard may see each other as opponents now, but next year that may be changing. Blue and Woodgeard both recently verbally committed to playing college basketball for the Three Rivers Lady Raiders next season, Three Rivers coach Jack Childress said...

Three Rivers on fire in win against Dyersburg (01/29/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Morgan Davis scored nine of the Lady Raiders' first 14 points as Three Rivers jumped on Dyersburg State early in the contest and sustained their energy to roll to a 87-43 win Monday night at the Bess Activity Center...

Late surge lifts Three Rivers past Dyersburg State (01/29/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Sometimes, teams need a wake-up call. Such was the case Monday night for Three Rivers against Dyersburg State at the Bess Activity Center. The Raiders were ahead by just three points at half and even trailed with under 16 minutes remaining, but showed why they're the top free-throw shooting team in the nation to pull out a 91-73 win...

Lady Raiders fend off Moberly (01/27/08) By BRAD HURT ~ DAR Sports Writer Three Rivers saw its lead dwindle as the second half progressed Saturday, but adjusted to a borrowed defensive scheme and held off visiting Moberly, 64-60. Faced with an unfamiliar offensive attack, Three Rivers coach Jack Childress said he took a page from the playbook of men's coach Gene Bess...

Pound puppies: Raiders open second half with key run (01/27/08) The Raiders outscored Moberly 20-7 within the first eight minutes of the half and were solid down the stretch in a 71-51 home win.

Raiders expect another battle (01/25/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Three Rivers Raiders will be looking to build on a three-game winning streak as they host Moberly at 7 p.m. Saturday night at the Bess Activity Center. The Raiders won the last meeting 69-67 on Jan. 11 and needed overtime to do it. This game will likely be just as close, Three Rivers guard Bryan Sherrer said...

Three Rivers works magic against Meramec (01/24/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer KIRKWOOD -- Three Rivers bounced back from a tough home loss with a solid 75-43 road win Wednesday night over Meramec. Fareedah Washington scored six of Three Rivers' first 12 points before Morgan Davis made a basket at the 12:54 mark of the first quarter that started a 22-4 run that put the Lady Raiders (11-8) ahead 28-13 with 5 minutes remaining in the first half. ...

Poplar Bluff closes trip with two wins (01/20/08) By BRIAN ROSENER ~ DAR Sports Editor SPRINGFIELD -- The Mules found their shooting touch on the other side of the state as Poplar Bluff took fifth in Glendale's Winter Classic. Riley Raulston and Ben Knuckles reached career highs in scoring as the Mules beat Shawnee Mission (Kan.) West 72-48 Saturday afternoon...

Ice-cold shooting freezes Lady Raiders (01/20/08) By BRAD HURT ~ DAR Sports Writer While the final margin turned out to be much closer than the last time Three Rivers faced Southeastern Illinois, the outcome again saw the Lady Raiders on the short end of the score at the end of the night, 52-41. "No moral victories here," Three Rivers coach Jack Childress said. "We didn't win."...

Three Rivers holds off Griz (01/20/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer WEST PLAINS -- "Big Time" Bryan Sherrer had no trouble coming up with big shots for Three Rivers on the road Saturday night. Sherrer scored the final four points to hold off MSU-West Plains 78-73. "They were really guarding him early and he wasn't getting much action," said Three Rivers coach Gene Bess of Sherrer. "We figured he would factor in before the game was over and boy did he ever take over."...

Three Rivers men facing region's top scoring team (01/18/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer After two wins in three days, the Three Rivers Raiders will jump back into Region XVI play on the road Saturday against MSU-West Plains. The Grizzlies (18-2, 0-1 XVI) are ranked 11th in the latest NJCAA national poll and lead the region in scoring 87.8 points per game...

Davis provides jumpstart in Three Rivers win (01/17/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Morgan Davis wasted no time getting herself and the Lady Raiders off on the right foot Wednesday night against Arkansas Baptist at the Bess Activity Center. Davis scored seven of the first 16 points for Three Rivers, which led 43-34 lead at halftime and with timely scoring and solid execution won the game 84-67...

Raiders walk through Forest Park (01/17/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer ST. LOUIS -- The Three Rivers Raiders had six players score in double figures as they moved past Forest Park on the road Wednesday night, 97-53. Bryan Sherrer was the leading scorer for the Raiders with 20 points along with six rebounds...

Second-half surge helps Three Rivers rebound from loss (01/15/08) Propelled by Aaron Redecker's reverse dunk, the Raiders defeated Southeastern Iowa 74-55.

Lady Raiders fall to State Fair's second-half surge (01/13/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer SEDALIA -- The Three Rivers Lady Raiders came out in the second half cold as State Fair heated up Saturday night. With the game tied at 35-35, State Fair came out and showed why it has lost just once so far this season. The Lady Roadrunners went on a 21-2 run sparked by two straight 3s from Vanessa Koonce as they went on to beat the Lady Raiders 81-55...

Raiders fall at State Fair (01/13/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer SEDALIA -- The Three Rivers Raiders fought and battled Saturday night against State Fair, but couldn't get a key hoop when they needed it most. Bryan Sherrer missed on a 3-pointer as time expired and the Raiders fell short on the road, 62-60...

Lady Raiders rally, then run out of gas (01/12/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer MOBERLY -- It appeared as though the Three Rivers Lady Raiders had gotten to the top of the mountain Friday night. But after rallying from an 11-point deficit to take the lead, Moberly finished with a 22-7 run to win 67-53...

Valov forces overtime; Raiders win (01/12/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer MOBERLY -- After the Three Rivers Raiders pushed the game into overtime Friday night against Moberly, they made the extra 5 minutes worth their while. The Raiders made 4 of 6 free throws with under 20 seconds left in the extra session and the Greyhounds missed at the final buzzer as the Raiders won 69-67...

Raiders game with Southeastern Iowa moved to Monday (01/11/08) By DAR STAFF The Three Rivers Raiders will face Southeastern Iowa at 7 p.m Monday night at the Bess Activity Center. The game was previously scheduled for Tuesday night and comes on the heels of a road trip that features games against Moberly and State Fair this weekend...

Applying pressure: Bingham leads way for defense (01/10/08) Three Rivers has the top defense in the region and rank 20th in the nation in defense

Raiders ready for Moberly, region's leading scorer (01/10/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Three Rivers Raiders will be up against a fast and tough opponent Friday night as they face host Moberly. "Moberly is a twin to Mineral Area," Raiders coach Gene Bess said. "We know we have a good feel for what they are going to do -- it's just going to be almost like getting prepared for Mineral Area and we just came off that preparation so we are going to know what is going on."...

Three Rivers women turn turnovers into victory (01/09/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer HARRISON Ark. -- The Three Rivers Lady Raiders came out strong in the second half and outscored host North Arkansas 41-25 Tuesday night on their way to a 80-60 win. "It just seemed like whenever we got turnovers we took advantage of them and made some shots," Three Rivers coach Jack Childress said. "We played as hard as we have played in a while."...

Lady Raiders surge past Mineral Area (01/06/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Three Rivers Lady Raiders showed poise and patience Saturday in their first Region XVI game of the season. After going into the half up six, the Lady Raiders went even with the Lady Cardinals before Mineral Area got within three points at 34-31 with 10:31 remaining in the contest...

Three Rivers holds off MAC attack (01/06/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Mineral Area gave the Three Rivers Raiders all they could handle Saturday night at the Bess Activity Center. Three Rivers led by as many as 18 points in the second half but couldn't contain the Cardinals down the stretch before holding on for a 93-88 win...

Raiders open regional play against rival (01/04/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Three Rivers Raiders cannot dwell on the past. After losing two straight games during their trip to Florida, Three Rivers will face Mineral Area in their first Region XVI game of the season at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Bess Activity Center...

Raiders finish without a win in Florida trip (01/02/08) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer PENSACOLA, Fla. -- The Three Rivers Raiders couldn't get the ball through the net at crucial times Monday afternoon. After a split at the free-throw line by Lasha Parghalava gave Pensacola a three-point lead, the Raiders called a timeout to set up a play with just 1.9 seconds remaining in the contest...

Raiders fade late against Chipola after 15-point rally (12/31/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ Sports Writer PENSACOLA, Fla. -- The Three Rivers Raiders put up a fight Sunday afternoon against top-ranked Chipola (Fla.) College, but stumbled down the stretch. The Raiders battled back from a 15-point first-half deficit to tie the game at the 12:23 mark and were within three points with 6 minutes remaining, but were outscored 10-6 in the closing minutes and lost 73-66...

Raiders rebound to beat No. 6 Vincennes (12/10/07) Raiders rebound By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer KIRKWOOD -- Three Rivers felt the pain of being knocked from the ranks of the unbeaten Saturday night but Sunday, the Raiders passed that pain onto sixth-ranked Vincennes University. The Raiders hit all 10 free throws in the final minute at Meramec to hold off previously unbeaten Vincennes (Ind.) 79-75...

Three Rivers' Victoria Smith signs with SEMO (12/13/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Three Rivers' Victoria Smith has wanted to go to a Division I school for quite some time, and now Smith has taken the necessary steps to make that happen. Smith recently signed with Southeast Missouri State University and will begin there next fall after her Three Rivers career comes to a close...

Binham's wrist injury shouldn't be a problem (12/12/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Three Rivers freshman Ken Bingham sat the final minutes of the Raiders 79-75 win over Vincennes University on Sunday with an injury to his right wrist. However, the outlook is good for Bingham, who scored just two points in 19 minutes in the Vincennes win. He has some ligament damage but nothing is broken, according to Raiders coach Gene Bess...

Lady Raiders come up empty from long range vs. Rend Lake (12/10/07) By DAR STAFF BELLEVILLE, Ill. -- Hours after hitting a season-high 15 3-pointers and scoring 98 points, the Three Rivers Lady Raiders came up empty from long range and blew an 11-point halftime lead Sunday. Rend Lake rallied for a 69-67 win at Southwestern Illinois behind Sierra Rarnbert's double-double of 27 points and 10 rebounds...

Davis' treys lead Three Rivers in rout of Forest Park (12/08/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Three Rivers Lady Raiders wasted no time getting down to business Saturday afternoon at Bess Activity Center. Morgan Davis hit a 3 from the right side and another from the top to set the tone early against Forest Park as the Lady Raiders opened the game by scoring 10 straight points and won 98-38...

Grinch trips to Three Rivers: Logan hands Raiders first loss (12/08/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Three Rivers didn't execute down the stretch Saturday night against John A. Logan at the Bess Activity Center and it ended up costing them the game. Before a bucket by Archie Valov as time expired, the Raiders last field goal was a putback by Jeff McClain at the 4:17 mark. In between the Raider baskets they turned the ball over repeatedly as Logan (8-3) outscored the Raiders 9-1 and wrapped up the 76-66 road win...

Three Rivers' midterm exam has two parts (12/07/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Three Rivers Raiders usually use an early season road loss to John A. Logan to motivate them for the rematch at the Bess Activity Center, but Saturday night, that won't be the case. The Raiders won the previous battle this season 87-69 and are looking to have the same winning result Saturday before traveling to St. Louis to face No. 6 Vincennes University at 4 p.m. Sunday...

Measured success: Freshman forward McClain leads Three Rivers in rebounding (12/04/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ Sports Writer Even though Jeff McClain has just 10 games of college basketball under his belt at Three Rivers, he has made an immediate impact for the Raiders as the team's leading rebounder. The 6-foot-6 native of Fulton, Ky. is averaging 9.55 rebounds per game, second in the region behind Paul Carter of West Plains, who is averaging 9.71...

Finally home, Three Rivers women win (12/02/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Three Rivers Lady Raiders used a 18-6 run to close out the first half and take a 41-25 lead against North Arkansas on Friday night into the break and sustained solid play throughout the second half to win the game at the Bess Activity Center, 76-62...

Lady Raiders get zoned out in double overtime (12/02/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Three Rivers Lady Raiders left it all on the floor Saturday night against Wabash Valley without their leading scorer Victoria Smith, who didn't play because of disciplinary reasons. However, Wabash Valley took over in the second overtime, holding Three Rivers to one field goal to win 77-67...

Lady Raiders to tighten lineup (11/29/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Heading into the PARC/Lady Raiders Classic that will begin Friday night, the Three Rivers Lady Raiders (4-3) are looking for more continuity going into their games against North Arkansas at 8 p.m. and Wabash Valley at 3 p.m. Saturday...

Raiders hammer Missouri Baptist junior varsity (11/27/07) By DAR STAFF Three Rivers moved past Missouri Baptist JV after exploding in the first half for 57 points and winning the game 104-38 Monday night at the Bess Activity Center. Archie Valov was the high scorer for the Raiders with 18 points and he was perfect from the field as he shot 8-for-8 and made both free throws that he attempted...

Deckard to play at UMSL (11/27/07) By BRAD HURT ~ DAR Sports Writer NAYLOR -- Hailee Deckard will be leaving home to continue her basketball career. Deckard, who starred in both softball and basketball at Naylor, chose to focus on basketball at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Deckard also considered staying close to home at Three Rivers Community College and several NCAA Division I schools, drawing interest from such schools as UCLA, the University of Texas and Wake Forest...

Early run lifts Raiders to win (11/25/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Three Rivers' Jeff McClain took matters into his own hands Friday night at the Bess Activity Center. With the score tied at two in the opening minutes against Butler County (Kan.), McClain completed a three-point play after being fouled around the basket and had a thundering dunk after an offensive rebound to put the Raiders ahead 6-2...

Raiders pass test, beat No. 13 Iowa Western (11/25/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Three Rivers' Bryan Sherrer is nicknamed "Big Time" and Saturday night against visiting No. 13 Iowa Western, he calmly displayed why. After a Iowa Western miss with just 11 seconds left in overtime, Sherrer went to the free-throw line for the first time all night with his team up two points. Sherrer hit the first free throw and left no doubt as to the outcome of the game when he hit the second to propel the Raiders to a 80-76 win...

Raiders shake turkey daze with Thanksgiving win (11/23/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Three Rivers Raiders may have consumed too much turkey before playing Thursday night in the Hardee's/PARC Thanksgiving Tournament at the Bess Activities Center. Arkansas Tech JV pulled within a point with just under 16 minutes left in the opening half, but after Ken Bingham's 3-pointer from the corner started a 17-3 run, the Raiders awoke from a turkey hangover for a 115-55 win...

Lady Raiders sputter against No. 7 Southeastern Illinois (11/21/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer HARRISBURG Ill.-- The Three Rivers Lady Raiders looked as though they were up to the task Tuesday night on the road against Southeastern Illinois. Freshman Fareedah Washington started the game with two straight post hoops to get the Lady Raiders off to a 4-2 lead. They again led at 7-3 before seventh-ranked Southeast went on a 30-10 run with easy transition layups...

Raiders pick up pace to beat Wayne County 69-41 (11/18/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer PARK HILLS -- Three Rivers faced Wayne County (Mich.) Community College for the first time Friday night in the Rosener's Classic at Mineral Area College, and early on, it showed. The Raiders started slowly and even trailed 11-10 midway through the first half before going on a 20-4 run. The Raiders led 32-17 at half and were solid in the second half, winning 69-41...

Three Rivers women roll to fourth straight victory (11/18/07) Lady Raiders roll for fourth straight victory By DAR STAFF SEDALIA -- The Three Rivers Lady Raiders picked up two wins over the weekend as they beat Ellsworth Community College 67-62 on Friday night and took care of Missouri Baptist, 85-25, on Saturday...

Three Rivers rolling at start of season (11/18/07) The Raiders are 6-0 heading to the Thanksgiving tournament.

Raiders face unknown opponents over the weekend (11/15/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Three Rivers Raiders usually have some idea of what they are up against before going into battle, but this weekend will be a bit different. The Raiders (4-0) are heading into this weekend's Rosener Classic at Mineral Area with little knowledge of their two opponents. The Raiders will face Wayne County, Mich., at 5 p.m. Friday and Kirtland, Mich. at 3 p.m. Saturday...

Morgan Davis breaks Three Rivers women's record for treys (11/15/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer ST. LOUIS -- Three Rivers' Morgan Davis reached new heights Wednesday night on the road against Florissant Valley. Davis set a Lady Raiders record with nine 3-point field goals and scored 29 points in the Lady Raiders' 112-54 road win...

Three Rivers' Valov signs with Baylor (11/15/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer Three Rivers sophomore and preseason All-American Archie Valov is preparing for the next step of his basketball career. Valov signed a letter of intent Wednesday morning to play for Baylor University. He still has the rest of the season at Three Rivers to develop before heading to the Big 12's Bears...

Raiders roll in first road trip (11/13/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ Sports Writer CARTERVILLE Ill. -- The Raiders made a statement in their first road game of the year on Monday night. Three Rivers went into John A. Logan, a place where the Raiders have traditionally struggled, and got an 87-69 win to move to 4-0 on the season...

Lady Raiders hold off Pensacola for first victory (11/11/07) By DAR STAFF CHIPOLA, Fla. -- Meridith Medlin's rebound of a missed free throw helped the Three Rivers Lady Raiders secure their first win of the season Saturday. Three Rivers held off Pensacola (Fla.) 71-70 after losing to fourth-ranked Chipola (Fla.) 78-68 Friday night...

Raiders blitz Blazers (11/11/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Three Rivers Raiders had nearly a full roster and it showed Saturday night at the Bess Activity Center against visiting Lewis & Clark. After falling in a 3-0 hole early, the Raiders went on a commanding 26-4 run and rolled to a 105-39 win...

Sherrer's return gives Three Rivers depth (11/09/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ Sports Writer The Three Rivers Raiders started the season off with two wins last weekend and will look for a strong showing against Lewis & Clark at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Bess Activity Center. The Raiders won last year's meeting 81-67, and coach Gene Bess expects this game to be competitive...

No vacation: Three Rivers women face tough road trip to Florida (11/08/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ Sports Writer The Three Rivers Lady Raiders knew that opening the season with seven straight road games would not be easy. After a season-opening loss to Wabash Valley (Ill.), the Lady Raiders travel to Florida to face Chipola at 8 p.m. Friday night and Gulf Coast at 2 Saturday. Both teams were ranked in the NJCAA preseason top 10...

Sherrer cleared to play for Three Rivers (11/07/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ Sports Writer Solid play by freshmen helped Three Rivers open the season 2-0 with the injury bug hovering around the Raiders' skin. Despite having just nine players available over the weekend against Arkansas Baptist and Bevill State (Ala.), the Raiders won both games by double digits. Now, Three Rivers is on the mend getting ready for Lewis & Clark, which comes to town Saturday night...

Raiders get revenge, beat Bevill State (11/04/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer After waiting a little more than a year, the Three Rivers Raiders got some good old-fashioned revenge Saturday night at the Bess Activity Center. Bevill State (Ala.) ruined the Raiders home-opener last season by coming in and escaping with an eight-point win, but it was not to be this year, as the Raiders moved to 2-0 on the season with a 91-75 win...

Three Rivers basketball opens with Friday home game (11/02/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Three Rivers Raiders are no strangers to their two home opponents on the schedule this weekend. The Raiders will face Arkansas Baptist at 7 p.m. Friday night at the Bess Activities Center and then take on Bevill State (Ala.) on Saturday night at the same time in the First Midwest Bank Tournament...

Three Rivers basketball hits the court (10/02/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer With much anticipation, the Three Rivers men's and women's basketball teams officially opened the season with their first practices Monday night at the Bess Activities Center. The "Show-Me Madness" event gave fans a look at a Raiders, who reached the national tournament last season and a young Lady Raiders team that features just three sophomores...

Three Rivers responds to criticism over Bess reprimand (09/12/07) By TIM KRAKOWIAK ~ DAR Staff Writer With Board President James Grassham being the only dissenter, the Three Rivers Community College Board of Trustees decided to respond to a letter written by former college officials criticizing actions taken by the admin- istration and board...

Fans get first look at Three Rivers basketball teams (09/11/07) By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer As fall nears and school is back in session, the Three Rivers Raiders men's basketball team is gearing up for the upcoming season. The public got an opportunity to meet the team along with the women's basketball, softball and baseball teams Monday night on the Three Rivers campus...

Three Rivers salutes baseball player Bradford (07/27/07) The winner of the Rawlings Silver Slugger Award for NJCAA Division I is a SEMO recruit.

Raiders release schedule, including playoff changes (07/25/07) By TROY HYDE ~ DAR Sports Writer The Three Rivers men's basketball schedule was released this week with the usual tough challenges for the Raiders as they try to return to the national tournament. The unexpected aspect, however, is a change with the Region XVI Tournament this year. By a 3-2 vote, the region coaches moved the final two rounds -- semifinals and finals -- to a neutral site at Jefferson College instead of paying a best-of-three championship series...

Three Rivers nursing student inflicts pain (07/20/07) By TANNER KENT ~ DAR Sports Writer John Midkiff isn't that different from other Three Rivers Community College students. His hometown of Piggott, Ark., is not far from Poplar Bluff, and he has spent most of his life in this area. He is a sophomore nursing major and has a family, including a 3-year-old son. Like many in this conservative quarter of the Midwest, Midkiff enlisted himself in the armed services and served his country proudly for three years overseas...

Peck-Love learned lessons at Three Rivers (07/18/07) The former University of Alabama star is coaching as a high school assistant in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

A volleyball player her entire life (07/15/07) Three Rivers standout Codi Dempster started paying volleyball in a competitive situation at the age of 8.

Kelly grad eager to earn a chance with Redhawks (07/13/07) When is getting a scholarship to play basketball at Lyon College just not good enough? When a player has the chance to play his home games at Division I Southeast Missouri State, just 20 minutes from his house. That is what Kendal Deason has decided to do next year after two seasons at Three Rivers Community College. He will be a walk-on with the Redhawks' program this year...

Deason decides to stay close to home (07/11/07) By TROY HYDE ~ DAR Sports Writer When is getting to play basketball at Lyon College just not good enough? When a player has the chance to play his home games just 20 minutes from his house for a team that is Division I Southeast Missouri State University...

Three Rivers women recruit a guard (06/28/07) By TROY HYDE ~ DAR Sports Writer Members of the Three Rivers Lady Raiders backcourt may want to start getting ready for some serious competition this fall. Three Rivers coach Jack Childress already had a full load before Tuesday, when East St. Louis standout Denisha Mitchell signed her letter of intent...

Three Rivers recruit Carter comes from winning program (06/20/07) By TROY HYDE ~ Sports Writer Finding players with a winning background is something coach Gene Bess and his Three Rivers coaching staff often seek during the recruiting process. Late last week, the Raiders got another one of those players as Marquise Carter of Horizon High School in San Diego signed his letter of intent to join the program this coming season...

Smith follows in dad's footsteps, signs at Three Rivers (06/07/07) For Tyler Smith, the decision to play baseball at Three Rivers Community College next spring was an easy one. With the graduation of both catchers on its roster, the chance for immediate playing time was a strong sell for Smith, who was one of the best high school catchers in southeast Missouri while playing at Senath-Hornersville...

Meltons present this year's "Hutch" poster to Bess (06/03/07) Eileen Melton, a wildlife artist from Doniphan and a Three Rivers fan, draws a poster for the program each year it reaches the NJCAA tournament in Hutchinson, Kan.

Three Rivers baseball team suffers second one-run loss (05/14/07) By TROY HYDE ~ Sports Writer For the second straight game, the Three Rivers Raiders lost a one-run game at the Region XVI Tournament. This time, the Raiders went into extra innings against third-seeded St. Charles and the 4-3 loss ended their season at 28-19...

Raiders lose by 'inches' in regional baseball tournament (05/11/07) By TROY HYDE ~ Sports Writer KANSAS CITY -- A few bloopers and a ball just out of Chris Hampton's reach in center field were all Meramec needed to knock off the Raiders on Thursday in the Region XVI Tournament. A bloop double and soft liner in the first inning led to the game's first run. ...

Lady Raiders softball knocked out by St. Charles (05/09/07) By TROY HYDE ~ Sports Writer ST. LOUIS -- Big innings can often serve as momentum for a team's offense. For St. Charles, an eight-run fourth inning against Three Rivers not only served as momentum, it also stuck a dagger in the hearts of the Lady Raiders as their season came to an abrubt end Monday...

Three Rivers baseball team wins two at Flo Valley (05/07/07) By DAR STAFF ST. LOUIS -- The Three Rivers Raiders got a little help from everyone during their road sweep of Florissant Valley on Sunday. Three Rivers (28-17) won Game 1 7-2 and won Game 2 by the score of 6-4. The two teams also played the last inning of a game that was suspended March 27...

Three Rivers softball extends stay in regional tourney (05/07/07) By TROY HYDE ~ Sports Writer The Three Rivers Lady Raiders let one get away during first-round action at the Region XVI Tournament in Moberly on Saturday but saved their season by taking down North Central in an elimination game later that night. Three Rivers led 3-1 through four innings in the opener but gave up three runs in the fifth and lost to St. Charles, 4-3...

Cubs' Bogan, Brandtner top all-conference (05/06/07) Bell City senior Will Bogan and Cubs boys basketball coach Brian Brandtner were named player of the year and coach of the year, respectively, in the recently released all-Stoddard County Activities Association all-conference team. The Cubs won the regular season and tournament titles in the Stoddard County Activities Association. Bell City finished runner-up in Class 1 for the second straight year after falling to Jefferson in the Class 1 state championship game...

Here's a Shocker: Griskenas picks Wichita State (05/04/07) The Three Rivers standout signed on Wednesday.

Raiders softball team eyes shot at Jefferson, region title (05/03/07) By TROY HYDE ~ Sports Writer Entering this year's Region XVI softball tournament, the big question on the mind of the fans just might be "Who has the best chance to dethrone defending champion Jefferson?" The answer will be decided this weekend in Moberly, but one thing is certain: The Lady Vikings are definitely the team to beat after marching to a 13-1 region record...

Vancil pitches no-hitter for unbeaten Twin Rivers softball team (05/02/07) In baseball, Campbell edges Bernie 5-3

Bradford comes through in pinch as Raiders win (05/02/07) By TROY HYDE ~ Sports Writer Even when Kieran Bradford isn't in the starting lineup, the sophomore catcher thinks he's going to somehow make the story. Tuesday, he did just that, delivering a pinch-hit two-run double in the bottom of the eighth inning to send his Raiders to a 7-5 victory over Southwest Tennessee...

Lance transferring from Three Rivers to Arkansas State (05/01/07) By TROY HYDE ~ Sports Writer Sometimes, making a decision about your short-term future can be tough. For Three Rivers standout Michael Lance, the decision was even harder because playing basketball at the Division I level -- a lifelong dream -- was at stake...

Three Rivers softball swept by Jefferson College (05/01/07) By TROY HYDE ~ Sports Writer Sometimes inexperience can hold a team back from reaching its goals. Three Rivers' inexperience is keeping it from getting over the hump against conference and region rival Jefferson. After already falling three times to the Lady Vikings this season -- once by the score of 1-0 in eight innings and another by the same score in 10 innings -- Three Rivers couldn't get it done against Jefferson on Monday, falling twice in a doubleheader, 8-0 and 7-3, at Rains Field...

(04/30/07) By BRANDY DONALDSON ~ Staff Writer Three Rivers Community College head men's basketball coach and Athletic Director Gene Bess' reputation on the hardwood precedes him. With more than 1,000 career wins, Bess is the winningest coach in college basketball history. He's in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, National Junior College Hall of Fame and Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame...

Raiders split weekend four-game baseball series (04/30/07) DAR STAFF Three Rivers turned a triple play, got no-hit and split a four-game weekend series at Maple Woods. Jamie Petty's completegame, seven-strikeout effort led to the Raiders' 6-2 win on Sunday and a 3-for-4 performance at the plate by Daniel Mullis led Three Rivers to a 10-8 win Saturday. On Saturday, the Raiders lost Game 1, 7-6, and also fell in Game 2 on Sunday by the score of 3-0...

Three Rivers wins eighth straight baseball game (04/25/07) By TROY HYDE ~ Sports Writer ST. LOUIS -- Another big outing on the mound from Josh Manning gave the Raiders the momentum against conference rival Meramec on Tuesday, and the offense woke up in Game 2 as Three Rivers swept the Magic and improved its winning streak to eight games...

Sikeston gets top seed in SEMO Conference tourney (04/25/07) A familiar team is back in the role of favorite in the SEMO Conference baseball tournament this year. Sikeston (12-4), which has played in the tournament championship game in each of its six years, is seeded first heading into this year's tournament. Opening-round play-in games will begin Thursday with Kelly hosting Poplar Bluff and New Madrid County Central playing host to Kennett...

Sweep revenge: Lady Raiders softball gets wins back from St. Charles (04/22/07) By TROY HYDE ~ Sports Writer Three Rivers coach Christa Albright was hoping all the defensive work her team put in this past week would show up on the diamond. It did. After committing 10 errors in two conference losses to St. Charles this past Monday, Three Rivers made just three mistakes in the field on a hot, sunny Saturday at Rains Field and sent the Lady Cougars home with two different walk-off losses...

Scott County's Peet signs on with Three Rivers (04/22/07) By TROY HYDE ~ Sports Writer Region XVI point guards beware. One of the top defenders in Southeast Missouri is coming to a gym near you. That defender is Scott County Central's Brittney Peet and the 5-5 point guard signed her letter of intent Thursday to play basketball with Three Rivers next season...

Raiders basketball adds defensive specialist (04/22/07) By TROY HYDE ~ Sports Writer Three Rivers coach Gene Bess has always preached defense to his past Raider teams and will probably have to preach to some this upcoming season. But, he may not have to preach to McNairy Central High School standout Ken Bingham...

Three Rivers baseball sweeps Mineral Area (04/22/07) By TROY HYDE ~ Sports Writer PARK HILLS -- The Raiders pounded out 33 hits in their doubleheader with Mineral Area on Saturday and came back to Poplar Bluff with a conference sweep over the Cardinals. Chris Hampton drew a bases loaded walk in the top of the eighth inning to help the Raiders win Game 1, 5-4, and then Three Rivers recorded 20 hits, scored seven runs in the first four innings and rolled to an easy win in the second game, 9-4...

Three Rivers softball scores 30 runs in sweep (04/20/07) DAR STAFF The Three Rivers Lady Raiders had no trouble seeing the ball at the plate Thursday. And Kaci Smith pitched a shortened no-hitter against Crowley's Ridge as Three Rivers won 15-0 in both games of a doubleheader. Three Rivers pounded out 30 hits in the two games and both starting pitching pitchers surrendered very little on the mound...

Three Rivers sweeps Jefferson College baseball (04/20/07) By TROY HYDE ~ Sports Writer The Raiders looked a lot different Thursday than they did the last time they played rival Jefferson. Earlier this month, the Vikings swept Three Rivers in Jefferson as the Raiders committed 11 errors in two games and lost by a combined score of 23-7...

Kelly hires Bell City native to lead boys basketball team (04/19/07) Kelly High School has tapped Bell City native Nathan Wills as its next boys basketball coach. Wills has been an associate head varsity coach at Duchesne High School in St. Charles the past three years. Along with his basketball duties, Wills will also be the head baseball coach. Wills, 28, is a Southeast Missouri State graduate...

Ten errors plague Three Rivers softball at St. Charles (04/17/07) By DAR STAFF Errors were the Lady Raiders' downfall while getting swept by St. Charles in a doubleheader on Monday. Between the two games, Three Rivers committed 10 errors. The miscues ruined what could have been an impressive offensive showing for the Lady Raiders. In the two games, Three Rivers combined for 22 hits and out-hit St. Charles in both games...

Three Rivers signs 6-6 forward from Kentucky (04/16/07) By TROY HYDE ~ Sports Writer One of the top-rated small forwards in the state of Kentucky will be playing at Three Rivers next season. And he comes from a familiar city. Jeff McClain, a 6-6 forward, officially inked a scholarship last week to be a Raider in the fall after averaging 19 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks last season for Fulton County High School, which is located in the same city as former Raiders player Keith Burton...

Delta duo plans to team up at Three Rivers Community College (04/16/07) Chris Moore ~ Standard Democrat DELTA - Kaci Menz and Shea Smith from Delta High School signed letters of intent to continue their athletic careers at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff. Menz plans to play both softball and basketball, while Smith will concentrate solely on basketball...

Errors, rain stop Lady Raiders (04/16/07) By DAR STAFF Four errors led to three unearned runs Friday as the Three Rivers Lady Raiders suffered a rain-shortened 5-2 loss to visiting Dyersburg State. Before the loss, the Lady Raiders (20-13) had won 14 of their last 15. Three Rivers tied the game at 2-2 in the fourth on Lindsey Landles' RBI single. Dyersburg State answered in the top of the fifth with a run then added two more in the sixth before rain stopped play...

SEMO recruit Johnson has fond memories of Show Me Center (04/13/07) By TROY HYDE ~ DAR Sports Writer Poplar Bluff native and Three Rivers sophomore Tierra Johnson has two big memories of playing at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. It was Dec. 19, 2003, when she hit a buzzer beater in a tournament win against Notre Dame. The next night, Johnson and the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules beat Cape Central in overtime to claim the tourney championship...

Three Rivers snaps seven-game winning streak with pair of wins (04/13/07) By TROY HYDE ~ DAR Sports Writer A Forest Park error in the bottom of the eighth inning in the opener and a pitching gem by Josh Manning in Game 2 led to a doubleheader sweep by Three Rivers on Thursday at Raider Field. The Highlanders comitted four errors in Game 1 as Three RIvers rallied from an early deficit, lost a late lead and eventually won 6-5 on Scott 3 Hudgins' walk-off run...

Three Rivers baseball drops two at St. Charles (04/11/07) By TROY HYDE ~ Sports Writer ST. PETERS -- The Three Rivers Raiders continued to out-hit their opponents Tuesday. Unfortunately, half of the hits St. Charles got in Game 1 went for extra bases as Three Rivers lost 6-3 while Game 2's 8-7 loss featured four Raider errors and a seventh-inning rally...

Three Rivers softball's Harris throws no-hitter in shortened game (04/11/07) By TROY HYDE Sports Writer PARAGOULD, Ark. -- The Three Rivers Lady Raiders' bats stayed hot Tuesday afternoon against Crowley's Ridge and Ashley Harris threw the first no-hitter of her college career. Three Rivers got three hits, three RBIs and two runs from sophomore Jessica Burnett in the opener as the Lady Raiders won 15-0 in three innings. Terra Milner and Maegan Booker then combined for eight hits and seven RBIs in Game 2 as Three Rivers cruised to a 23-8 victory...

Childress gets first autograph (04/11/07) Doniphan senior Morgan Davis signed with Three Rivers Community College on Tuesday.

Childress gets first autograph (04/11/07) Doniphan senior Morgan Davis signed with Three Rivers Community College on Tuesday.

Three Rivers softball wins two of three at McKendree (04/10/07) By DAR STAFF Behind two big-time pitching performances fromAshley Harris and two multi-hit games from Terra Milner, the Three Rivers Lady Raiders won two out of three games at the McKendree Tournament this weekend. Three Rivers shut out East Central and Southwest Illinois by scores of 8-0 and 3-0 and are now 16-12 on the season. The Lady Raiders have won 10 out of their last 11 games with the only loss coming to Jefferson at the McKendree Tournament as they were beaten 1-0 in eight innings...

Three Rivers wins opening game at Hutch (03/21/07) HUTCHINSON, Kan. -- One of the nation's top free-throw shooting teams got another big test late in its first-round matchup with Bevill State-Fayette Tuesday afternoon at the NJCAA National Tournament and the Raiders hit two clutch free throws with 4 seconds to play and escaped with a 66-65 win...

College notes 3/15/07 (03/15/07) Area basketball players off to national events Saxony Lutheran graduate Lauren Lueders has had a memorable freshman season at Vanderbilt University, and now Lueders will get to experience an NCAA Tournament. Vanderbilt grabbed a No. 2 seed in the tournament thanks to a win this past weekend against LSU in the Southeastern Conference tournament championship game...

Area digest (03/14/07) Umpires meetingset for Thursday The SEMO Area Umpires Association will have a meeting 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the meeting room at River Eagle Distributing. The meeting is open to all high school baseball and softball umpires and anyone interested in attending...

Raiders baseball continues to roll (03/01/07) WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. - The Raiders baseball team continued to swing hot bats Tuesday night as a makeup road doubleheader against Williams Baptist resulted in two easy wins. The Raiders improved to 5-1 on the season after posting wins of 12-2 and 13-2 at Walnut Ridge, Ark...

One tough girl (02/20/07) POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Amindia Small stands on the floor of the Bess Activity Center, leading an excited crowd in cheers while two of her fellow cheerleaders are held high in the air doing liberties. Just your typical Saturday night at a Three Rivers Community College Raiders men's basketball game -- but it isn't a scene some would have expected back in late November...

Malden, Doniphan to meet again at Poplar Bluff (01/26/07) POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- There is only one place to be Saturday if you are a fan of high school basketball. And that place is Three Rivers' Bess Activity Center for the 5:00 p.m. showdown between the Doniphan Dons and the Malden Green Wave. Doniphan is 14-2. ...

Late rally by Three Rivers not enough against Mineral Area (01/07/07) PARK HILLS -- The Mineral Area Cardinals held Three Rivers star Mantas Griskenas scoreless Saturday night in Park Hills. Needless to say, the Raiders w e r e not able to find a win as the sixth-ranked Cardinals knocked down nine 3-pointers, had 16 steals and won 82-72 at home...

Lady Raiders now 10-2 (01/04/07) Despite a laundry basket full of roster changes and a huge upcoming change, the Three Rivers Lady Raiders managed to get past Kaskaskia, 73-61, at home Wednesday night in front of a modest crowd at the Bess Activity Center. Sophomore point guard Tierra Johnson drained six 3-pointers and scored 23 points as Three Rivers fought off early struggles to beat the Blue Angels and will take a 10-2 record into regional play against Mineral Area on Saturday...

Johnson, Browne score big in Lady Raiders win (01/01/07) By TROY HYDE/DAR Sports Writer MEMPHIS -- The Lady Raiders' ended the Southwest Tennessee Classic with another victory Friday night as Three Rivers got an early lead and knocked off Northwest Shoals, 69-56. "This was an awful good ballgame," Three Rivers coach Jack Childress said. "It was a good win because Northwest Shoals is a pretty good ball club. We are very fortunate to get two wins in Memphis."...

Message unsent as Raiders split games (01/01/07) By TROY HYDE/DAR Sports Writer PANAMA CITY, Fla. -- The Three Rivers Raiders got back on the court this weekend and a trip to Florida ended with one win and one loss as the Raiders took down host Gulf Coast Community College, 72-70, Friday and lost to No. 13 Okaloosa-Walton, 81-66, Saturday...

Headlines of 2006 (12/29/06) Feb. 4 -- Southeast women's basketball senior Natalie Purcell set a team record with seven 3-pointers against Tennessee-Martin. Feb. 8 -- Bell City 6-foot-10 junior Will Bogan made a verbal commitment to Memphis, but he did not sign in November in the early signing period...

Raiders fail final exam of semester (12/11/06) Three Rivers heads into break 9-4 By TROY HYDE/DAR Sports Writer KIRKWOOD -- The Raiders used up all their shots Saturday night at the Bess Activity Center. Not even 24 hours after Three Rivers put up 110 points and drained nine 3-pointers in a home win against Forest Park, it struggled to find the touch offensively at the Meramec Rawlings JUCO Shootout in Kirkwood on Sunday...

End of TRCC volleyball program stuns players (12/11/06) By TROY HYDE/DAR Sports Writer Dropping the volleyball program at Three Rivers Thursday night resulted in a lot of sad athletes Friday afternoon. One day after the Board of Trustees voted to eliminate the team, former volleyball coach Krista Albright had the duty to break the news to this year's team...

Raiders step on the gas (12/10/06) By TROY HYDE/DAR Sports Writer Seven players reached double figures for Three Rivers against Forest Park on Saturday. Sophomore Kendal Deason drained six 3-pointers, the Raiders outrebounded the Highlanders 48-21 and Three Rivers won another game to improve its season mark to 9-3 overall...

TRCC splits at Moberly (12/10/06) By DAR STAFF MOBERLY -- The Three Rivers Lady Raiders defeated Iowa Western, 77-54, during the Moberly Tournament in what could be a postseason preview. Iowa Western, because it has no other teams